At
the end of my first semester at OSF I feel like I’ve done so many things that I
never thought I would do… like skateboard. I’ve always wanted to extend and further develop my artistic
ability, and through this program I have had the opportunity to do this in a
fun way with a lot of support!
This
board was a result of discussions with Paul, one of the OSF teaching interns,
about how gender stereotypes limit how we act and see the world around us. The image I used is the silhouette of a
cowgirl holding a pistol, with a rose vine curling up around her body and
arm. The image is supposed to
juxtapose ideas of masculinity and femininity, breaking down the opposition
that people believe exists between them.
I
believe that we give too much power to stereotypes and are too quick to judge
people based on what we think they are, without actually getting to know who
they are. Through my board I’m
trying to deconstruct the assumptions we make about femininity – she holds power
(represented by the pistol), but the metallic vine reminds us that women do not
need to rely on violence to gain power and equality.
